Apparatus for handling sheets



L. BAKER ETAL APPARATUS FbR HAiIDLING SHEETS July 7, 1942.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1941 INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER LEO C.WILLIAMS GEORGE A. MARTIN July 7, 1942.

L. BAKER ETAL 2,288,772 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SHEETS Filed Feb. 8, 1941Sheets-Sheet 2 n i I v 206 #225 I 205 I I I 216 1 I0] 1 I14 I47 a I 31 I2' I49 ezs 22$ 227 A 2 47 5o 44 I I I I 244 T WL W2 B34 238 4 s E53 r518E? r8L89\90 250 35] 296 111 I 4 I26 L 64 I H9 I20 I 2 j 2 I68 F257 124m 53 4 I I 74 M 52 302 123 3 30a 4 l/ us f; I J I k 44 I17 I 23341111330) I W; rr:

so 0 T 300 7 Or INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER LEO C. WILLIAMS GEORGE A. MARTINJuly 7, 1942. L. BAKER ETAL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SHEETS "Filed Feb. 8,1941 5 She ets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER LEO C. WILLIAMS GEORGE A.MARTIN AGE NT July 7, 1942. L, -AkER ETAL 2,288Q772 APPARATUS FORHANDLING SHEETS Filed Feb. 8, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 96 H4 I I30INVENTORS LEONARD BAKER LEO- C. WILLIAMS GEORGE A. MARTIN BY AGENT July7, 1942. L. BAKE R EI'AL.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING SHEETS- Filed Feb. 8, 1941 Q 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m RE M SKMA m MM BL T LA .T N l in E W E mcc 6 MN R A 000 EE LLG fi Fig. 121 19.13

' deliver said sheets in horizontal Patented I J 7, I 1942 A I U I ED"STAT Es PATENT Lox-rice ArrAnA'rUs on nA nLmG sn'zn'rs Leonard Baker,Hillsdale, N. Land Leo C. wu- A llama and George A. Martin, Pearl River,N. Y.,

assignors to Dexter Folder Company, Pearl Riv-- er, N. Y., a corporationof New York Application February a, 1941, Serial No. "new; A A 48Claims. (01.211-69) This invention r ases handling sheets of a materialand while-capable of general use is particularly adapted for associationwith a printing or coating machine and drylng oven unit for metalsheets.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatuswhich will positively and efllciently feed stifisheets laterally and instanding or on edge position from .a supply thereof conveyed standing onedge one behind another through a drying "oven, and advance said sheetsin like manner for further handling thereof.

} side elevation of sh'eetforwarding, advancing and receivlngmeansembodying theApresent inven- Another objectoithe present invention is toprovide an improved apparatus which will'feed still-sheets laterally andin standing? position from a supply thereofconveyed standing on edge onebehind another throughadrying oven, and

non to sheet receiving means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus which enables or flatwise pOsi-A,

the feeding of printed or coated sheets of stiif material laterally'an'din standing position from a drying .oven conveyor and delivering of saidfed sheets in horizontal or fiatwise positionto.

. forwarding device, and for controlling the opera: tion of a sheetsupporting and guiding Idevice,

sheet recelvingflmeans without likelihood of scratching or marrin'g theprinted or coated. surface of the sheets.

" Another object of thepresent invention is provide an improvedapparatus whereby printed or coated sheets'of metal conveyed through adrying oven standing on'edge one behind another AA may be fed laterallytherefrom and in standing I A position and delivered to sheet receivingmeans i in horizontal or flatwise position with the printed orcoatedsurface of 'thesheets uppermost. A

Another object of the present inventionis to provide an improvedapparatus adaptable to any situation whereit is desired to feed sheetsof metal, cardboard, paper and other non-metallic material laterally andin standing position from illustrating diagrammatically the actionof thesheet supporting and guiding'device on an ad-A a supply of such sheetsstanding onedge one behind another.

Another objector the present invention is to provide an improved suctionsheet forwarding device so constructed that vacuum may b lutilized toactuate said device in the sheet forwarding direction to forwardsheets'successively from a supply thereof. v

These andother objects of the present invention will appear as thefollowing description thereof proceeds and in order to more clearlyunderstand said invention reference may be had to the accompanyingdrawingswhich illustrate oneembodiment thereof. A

tion; A A v Fig. -5 is an enlarged I of asuction sheet forwardingdevicei'.

' Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation; partly in section, of valvemeans for controlling the operation of the suction sheet forwardingdevice; A Fig. '7 isa fragmentary endview lookin'g from the right" ofFig. 4, with parts omitted 1 for puri poses of clearer illustration,showing mechanisms for imparting reciprocating motion'to' the'sheetrespectively;

A Fig. B'is an enlargedjtop'planviewer magngzic A sheetadvancing'devices and supporting and driv- A. ing means therefor;

Fig 9 is a horizontal sectionalview on the line 9--9 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is an] enlarged fragmentary top plan 7 View, partly in section,of the sheet supporting A and guiding deviceiand drivingand controlmeans A therefor; A 1 A i Fig. 11 is an enlarged side elevatiompartly insection of the sheet suppo'rting and guiding device anddriving andcontrol means therefor of clearer illustration; and A Figs. l2"to 14inclusive, are side elevations shown in Fig. 10, with parts omitted forpurposes vanced sheet in'process of'delivery to the'sheet receivingmeans.- 7

Referring to the drawings, and wherein like reference charactersdesignate like partsthroughout the several views,the present inventionis illustrated in connection with a unit for applying 'a decoration inink or a coating of'other material to sheets of metal, and'thereafterheat treating said sheets to dry the material applied to a surfacethereof. As shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings',-this unit comprises aprinting or coating machine indicated broadly at 5, adrying A ovenindicated broadly at 6, and a conveyor Aindihorizontal setivnal Y e'side frames 24 and 25 thereof.

cated broadly at 'l for receiving and conveying the sheets from saidprinting or coating machine to said drying oven.

The printing or coating machine 5 is the usual type comprising sideframes 8 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machine foundation,and a pair of printing or coating cylinders 9 and I journalled in saidframes and between which the sheets pass to receive a decoration in inkor the like or a coating of other material on i the upper surfacethereof. The movable parts of the machine are operated by an electricmotor II which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the machinefoundation. Electric current is supplied to the motor I I from anysuitable source and starting and stopping of said motor is effected bysuitable switch means (not shown).

a spur gear I! that is fixed on a shaft l8 which,

extends transversely of the machine 5 and is journalled in suitablebearingsin the side frames 8 thereof. The spur gear Il meshes with aspur gear l9 that is fixed on the cylinder l9 and serves to drive thesame. The spur gear I 9, in turn, meshes with and drives a spur gear 29which is fixed on and drives the cylinder 9.

The printed or coated sheets discharged in succession from the machine 5are received with the printed'or coated surface thereof uppermost by theconveyor 1 for carrying said sheets to the drying oven 6. This conveyor1 includes a rollerv 2| and a plurality of tapes or belts 22 passingaround and driven by said roller (Figs. 1 and 2). The roller 2| extendstransversely of the machine 5 and is journalled in suitable bearings inthe side frames 8 thereof. The front portions of the tapes or belts 22pass around and drive a roller 23 which extends transversely-of theconveyor I and is journalled in suitable hearings in The side frames 24and 25- of conveyor 1 are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to themachine foundation and connected-together by tie bars 28, 21 and 28.

Also passing around the roller 23 and driven thereby are a plurality oftapes or belts 29 which extend forwardly of said roller and pass arounda roller 39. The 'roller 30 extends transversely of the conveyor 1 andis journalled in suitable bearings in the side frames 24 and 25 thereof.The roller' 2| and tapes or belts 22 and 29 are driven by suitablegearing including a spur pinion 3| that is fixed -on said roller. Thisspur pinion 3| meshes with portion thereof will be in a definiteposition for action of suction sheet forwarding means to be hereinafterdescribed. This sidewise movement and straightening of the sheet may beeffected by any suitable means for this purpose, but as herein shown, ispreferably effected by magnetic means of the general type disclosed inthe United States Patent No. 2,228,913, granted January 14, 1941, toGeorge A. Martin.

This magnetic means includes the permanent magnet rollers 33 (Fig. 2)secured in spaced relation on a non-magnetic shaft 34 which extends xtransversely of the conveyor 1 and is disposed diagonally of the tapesor belts 29 beneath the upper reaches thereof. The permanent magnetrollers 33 project upwardly between the tapes or belts 29in-approximately the same plane as the upper reaches thereof. Thenon-magnetic shaft 34 is journalled in suitable bearings in brackets 35and 35 which are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the tie bar 21and side frame 25, respectively. The shaft 34 and magnetic rollers 33are driven from the tape roller 23 and for this purpose, said taperoller has fixed thereon and driven thereby a pulley 31 around whichpasses a belt 38 that also passes around and drives a pulley 39. Thispulley 39 is fixed on and drives a stub shaft 49 which, in turn, isconnected with and drives the shaft 34 through the medium of a universalcoupling 4|.

until the side edge of the sheet engages a sheet guide 43, thusstraightening and properly positioning the sheet on the conveyor 1 forpresentation to the drying oven 6. The sheet guide 43 extends along theconveyor I at one side thereof and parallel with the tapes or belts 29and is secured to and adjustable along the tie bars 25 and 28.

The drying oven 5 is of any suitable type and includes a conveyorcomprised by a pair of transversely spaced chains 44 (Figs. 1 to 3)having attached thereto a large number of racks or wickets 45 forsupporting and conveying a supply of the printed or coated sheetsstanding on edge one behind another. and usually'slightly inclinedthrough the drying oven 6. The chains 44 pass around sprockets 45, 41and 43 which are fixed on shafts 49, 5|) and 5|, respectively. Theshafts 49, 59 and 5| extend transversely of the drying oven 6 and arejournalled in suitable bearings on side frames 52 and 53 thereof. Thechains 44 and racks or wickets 45 are usually driven continuously and atthe proper speed relatively to the printing or coating machine 5 and ina -manner such that for each cycle of operation of the printingorcoating machine a rack or wicket 45 will be in proper position toreceive a printed or coated sheet from the conveyor 1.

For this purpose, the shaft l8 of the printing or coating machine 5 hasfixed thereon and driven thereby a bevel gear 54 (Fig. 1) which mesheswith and drives a similar gear 55 that is fixed on one end of a jackshaft 55 and serves to drive the same. This jack shaft 55 extends alongone side of the machine 5 and the conveyor l and is journalled insuitable bearings on the adjacent frames 8 and 24 of said machine Thestub shaft 40 is journalled in suitable bearings'in the sideandconveyor, respectively. The shaft 55 has fixed thereon and driventherebya sprocket I'l (Figs. l and 2) around which passes a chain 50that extends transversely of the conveyor I to the opposite side thereofandpasses around a sprocket 50 to drive the same. This sprocket 50 isfixed on and drives a jack shaft 55 which extends along the drying ovenat one side thereof and is iournalled in suitable bearings on the.frames 52 and of said oven and the conveyor I, respectively.

Fixed on and driven by the jack shaft are sprockets BI and 82 aroundwhich pass chains 03 and 04 that extend upwardly and also passaroundsprockets 0'5 and-.05. respectively. These sprockets and 50are'flxed on and drive stub shafts 01 and which are Journalled insuitable 1 frame .52 of the drying'oven i.

which are bolted or otherwise suitably securedto the side frame 52 ofsaid oven. Fixed on and driven by the cam shaft BI is a cam 03 (Figs. 4

and 7) that engages a roller 04 journalled on the lower end of a lever05 which is pivotally mounted intermediate 'its ends on a bracket 86bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the'side The roller 84 ismaintained in engagement with the cam 03' bye.

pull spring 01 having one end connected with the lever 05 and theopposite end connected with one of the side members I5 of the piledelivery I3.

' The lever 05 is thus rocked by the cam 03 during bearings on the sideframe 52 of the drying oven 0. Secured to and driven by. the stubshaftsl'l and 58 are worms 00 and 10 which mesh with.

and dri ve worm gears II and 12 that are flxedon appear that the chains44 and racks or wickets the shafts 49 and 50. respectively. vIt willthus 45 throughthe de'scribed driving connections therefor with theshaft II are-driven at the proper speed and in proper timed relationwith a the printing or coating machine 5..

In the operation of the unit thus far described.

. the sheets discharged in succession from the printing or'coatingmachine 5 are receivedwith the printed or coated surface thereofuppermost by the conveyor 1 and advanced by saidconveyor in like mannerand in horizontal position to successive racks or wickets 45. As thesheets are advancedfby the conveyord toward the drying oven 6 they aremoved sidewise against the sheet guide salt -me rotating angularlydisposed magnetic rollers 53 so that one edge of each sheet extendsapredetermined distance-beyond one side a of theracks or wickets 45 foraction of suction sheet forwarding means to be hereinafter de-' scribed.Upon continued operation of the chains 44 and racks or wickets '45 thesheets are turned from a horizontal position to a vertical position andconveyed standing on. edge and with the printed or coated surfacethereof .facingin the conveying direction through the drying oven 5.- Inaccordance with the present invention means are provided for forwardingand advanc ing the sheets laterally and while standing on edge from theracks or wickets 45 after said sheets have-passed through the. dryingoven 6 and were dried therein, and forpiling the for.

rotation thereof to" reciprocate a link ll having one end pivotallyconnected with the upper end of said leverand its opposite end pivotallyconnected. as by a balland socket connection 09,

with'theiree end of an arm 00. This arm 00 is fixed on and rocksatvertical shaft OI which is iournalled insuitablebearings in a bracket92 and inclined injconformity'with the racks or v "wickets 45 or ovenThe bracket 92 isbolted or otherwise-suitabiysecured to one of thesidemembers Id of the pile delivery I3.

Secured'in anyfsuitable manner on the upper endof the rockg shaft 0i androcked thereby is a suction sheet forwarding device indicated'broadly at03 adapted to engage and forward the sheets in succession laterally andwhile standing on edge from the racks or wickets 45 after saidsheetshave passed through the'drying event and were dried therein This suctionsheet forwarding device 83 is rocked into and out of engagement with thesheets by the rock shaft 0| through the described operatlng connectionsfor said rock shaft with the "cam 03, and actuated preferably bypneumatic means as hereinafter described ins direction at right anglesto the sheet engaging movement thereof to forward the sheets from the Iracks-or wickets 45.

As shown more particularlyin Figs. 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, thesuction sheet forwarding device 53 is comprisedby-a horizontallydisposed cylinder 90' closed at one end by a head 95 which is held'inposition by machine screws 05 or the like. The head 05 fits over and issecured in any suitable mannerto the'rock shaft 0i and for this purposesaid head is provided with a suitable bore 01 to receive said shaft.Slidably mounted in the warded and advanced sheets one upon another andwith the printed or coated surface thereof I5 are connected together bya pile guiding apron or plate 16 and a cross member I1 which are boltedor otherwise suitably secured to said side 7 members.

Fixed on and driven by the jack shaft 60. is a sprocket I8 (Fig. 4)around which passes a chain It that also passes around a sprocket 80which is fixed on and drives a cam shaft BI. This cam shaft 8i extendsalong the drying oven 6 between the latter and the pile delivery I; andis journailed in suitable hearings in brackets 82 cylinder is alpistonhaving secured thereto) or formed integrally therewith a piston stem 99which projects outwardly beyond the open end of said cylinder." Fixed onthe outwardly projecting end of the piston stem is a small cross head 0in which'is clamped for vertical adjustment a main conduit Ill.- Securedto or formed integrally with the main. conduit IN on the upper and lowerends thereof are branch conduits I02 which extend rearwardly fromsaidmain conduit 0 and at right angles to the piston stem 99. Fixed on theopen ends of these conduits I02 are sheet engaging rubber suction cupsI03 provided with ducts I04 in communication with said cups and withsaid conduits.

Each branch conduit I02 has secured therein and preferably in the openend thereof, a plug I05 provided with a restricted opening I00 in'communication with said conduit and with the duct I04 in the suction cupI03. openings I05 in plugs I05 insure that suflicient vacuum will becreated and maintained in the conduits IOI and I02 so that in the eventa sheet is, for any reason, engaged by only one of the suction cups I03the volume of air passing through the restricted opening I06 in plug I05The restricted associated with the other suction cup would not besufficient to destroy the vacuum in the conduits IOI and I02. Underthese conditions the sheet would be gripped by the single suction cupI03 which is efiective and forwarded from the rack or wicket 45 thereby.

The piston 98, piston stem 99, cross head I and parts carried therebyare actuated in the,

sheet forwarding direction by vacuum as hereinafter described, and inthe opposite direction by a push spring 01 which is interposed betweensaid piston and the cylinder head 95 interiorly of the cylinder 90. Thespring I01 has one end thereof carried in a pocket I08 formed in andextending along the piston stem 99, and the opposite end is engaged overand guided by a pin I09 which is disposed interiorly of the cylinder 94and secured in any suitable manner in the cylinder head 95. Movement ofthe piston 93 by the spring I01 is limited by a collar IIO which isbolted or otherwise suitably secured to the cylin der 94 interiorlythereof and engaged by said piston. The piston 99 and suction cups I03are guided for right line reciprocation relative to the cylinder 94 byrollers III and H2 which are journalled at right angles to each other onthe cross head I00. The rollers III extend in and travel along elongatedslots H3 formed in side plates H4, and the rollers II2 engage the innersides of said plates. The plates H4 are bolted or otherwise suitablysecured to the cylinder 94 exteriorly thereof and connected together bypins II5 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to said plates.

Suitable means are provided for creating and breaking vacuum atpredetermined intervals in the suction cups I03 and cylinder 94 of thesheet forwarding device 93 and as herein shown said means are preferablymounted on and comprised by the following instrumentalities. Bolted orotherwise suitably secured to the cross member 11 of the pile deliveryI3 is an electric motor I I6 (Fig. 3) connected with a suitable sourceof our- 8|. The roller I32 is held in engagement with the cam I34 by aspring I35 interposed between the upper end of the valve I3I and a plateI36 which'is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the housing I25. Itwill thus appear that the valve I3I is spring operated in one directionand cam operated in the opposite direction to make rent and controlledfor starting and stopping .of which is connected with a valve housingI25 (Fig. 6) through the medium of a flexible conduit I26. The valvehousing I25 is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame 52of the drying oven 6. The valve housing I25 has formed therein a conduitI2'I which is connected with the flexible conduit I26 and opens intobores I28 and I29 that are formed in said housing at opposite sides ofthe conduit I21. Connected with the housing I25 and communicating withthe bore I28 therein is one end of a flexible conduit I30 the oppositeend of which is connected with the main conduit IOI of the sheetforwarding device 93. Slidably mounted in the bore I28 of housing I25 isa valve I3I which projects downwardly through the housing and isprovided on the lower end thereof with a roller I32 journalled on a pinI33. The roller I32 engages a cam I34 which is fixed on and rotated bythe cam shaft and break vacuum in the conduits IOI, I02 and the suctioncups I03. Turning movement of the valve I3I in the bore I28 is preventedby a pin I3lwhich is secured in the lower end of said valve and projectsinto a slot I30 formed in the housing I25.

The valve I3! is provided with a reduced portion I39 and the valvehousing I25 is provided in the bore I28 thereof with a, chamber I40formed by the upper and lower ends of spaced bushings IEI, I92 andcommunicating with the conduit I21. The housing I25 is further providedin the bore I28 thereof with a second chamber I43 formed by the upperend of the bushing I42 and the lower end of a third bushing I44. Thechamber I43 communicates with a relief port I45 formed in the housingI25 and opening outwardly to atmosphere-through one side of saidhousing. It will thus appear that when the roller I32 of valve I3I is inthe low part of cam I34 the valve I3I will be in the position thereofshown in Fig.

6 wherein it will be noted that the reduced por tion I39 of the valve isin communication with the conduit I27, the chamber I40 and the flexibleconduit I30. Under these conditions vacuum will be created in thesuction cups I03 through the described connections therefor to cause thesheet engaged thereby to adhere to said cups. It will further appearthat when the roller I32 of valve I3I is engaged by the high part of camI34 upon continued rotation thereof, the valve I3I will be raised sothat the reduced portion I39 thereof is moved out of communication withthe chamber I40 and into communication with the chamber I43, Vacuum willthus be broken in the bore I28, and the suction cups I03 will be openedto atmosphere through the conduit I30,

the chamber I43, and the relief port I45 to cause said suction cupsto-release the sheet.

Secured in the valve housing I25 at the side thereof opposite thatcarrying the'flexible conduit I30 is a tubular fitting I46 whichcommunicates with the bore I29 in said housing. Connected with thetubular fitting I46 is one end of a flexible conduit M1 the opposite endof which is connected with the cylinder 94 and communicates with theinterior thereof through a port I48 (Fig. 5) formed in said cylinder atone side thereof and adjacent the cylinder head 95. The tubular fittingI46 has also connected therewith one end of a flexible conduit I49 theopposite end of which is connected with a conduit I50that is formed inthe head of cylinder 94. The conduit I50 communicates with a conduit I5Iat the end of the cylinder 94. The illustrated construction shows theconduit I 5I formedin the cylinder head 95 and disposed at right anglesto the portgages a cam I51 which is fixed on and rotated terposedbetween the v and ered by theexpan'dingactibnfof V a I thus establishcommunication between i the com 95 the. port I48 due to the locationthrough the restricted opening I53,

1 tion cups I03 is eliminated.

by the cam shaft 8|. The roller in is held in engagement with the. cam

plate I38 and the upper end of the valve lit.

the valve 154 is spring operated in one direction the sheet forwardingdevice 93. Turning movement or thevalve I54 in the bore. IZIis'prevented It will thus appear that camoperateddn the opposite directionvto make and breakvacuum in the cylinder -94 of provided I a reduced"nor-L valve. housing Ill is provided thereof: with a chamber I62}:

I51 bya spring I" in-I broken in the bore I28 of housing I 25, and thecylinder 94 will be 7 lease the piston 80 a which time the spring I01through expansion thereof will return said piston and the suction cupsll! to theirnormal f full line positions showninFlg. 5 determined byengagement of the said cylinder.

piston with the collar. H0 in The Operations of the sheet forwardingdevice formedby JtheupDerand lower ended-tweed bushings 1,63. I64; andcommunieating with the.

conduit 12! j in 1saidi housing.w Theihousing". I v is further providedinthe bore 1 I! thereofwith 'a, second chamber; it! formed bythe;upper-end"; f of the bushing I64 n bushing m; :ITheJ chamberflfl.

the lowenend of. a",

cameraman-re U A -25 tiwhen the-roller i during rotation. thereof; valveduit I21 and the M low- 1 hrine 58- and tubular. flttingjllil'fihioilflhthe, chamber I52andtheJreduced-"portiomI'Bl' of said. valve. Under theseconditions vacuum will be created'im the cylinder 9.4 throu h" the.fleiiible conduits m, m, "the. port, m; the conduits n,

lil andtherestrictedopningii}.". -when vacuum-isjcreatedin thecylinderflas aforesaid, at:no'spheric air pressure through the opcn end. of saidcylinder acts on the piston 98 and. pushes said piston, the piston.stem, the

cross head; I00, the suction cups Hi3;v and the said suction cupsrapidly toward a 5.), compressing the spring-I01.

sheet gripped by the right (Fig. As the piston 98" approaches thecylinder head der 94 only through the restricted M Under theseconditions the piston 98 upon continued movement thereof by momentumtoward theright (Fig. 5) will gradually build up a pres to saidcylinderhead. However, sinceair is being continuously exhausted rrom thecylinder 94 said air pres-; sure betweenthe piston 98 and cylinder head95 will never equal the atmospheric air pressure on the opposite sideofthe piston "with the result will be closed by said piston at whichtimevacuumwill be created in the cylinopening I53. j a

93 are so timed relative toth'e printing or coating machinei and.through the arrive standing on edge at the-proper feeding I position,thesheet forwarding device- 93 is rocked l8.

the travel oi" the sheets drying oven I that as the sheets rearwardly'bythe rock shaft II to e ga e the suction cups-I03 with the face of theleading a printed-or coated surface and ad-v jiacent the side edgethereof.

. During thisr'earward jmovement of the sheet forwarding device 93.vacuum is oreatedin'the'suction cups I03 by a I V. the described valvemeans (Fig. 6) for this pureemmun s i with} a: relief port; it! formdfinathahbusing' I25 andv opening outwardly-j: to at the same side or saidhousing I45. It'will Lmu appear-ina p 56. causing said cups vacuum-iscreated in the or h s p rpos wh re pon the p s n 98 moves to the rightto the dotted line position thereof shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. Theare moved with the-piston, and by id'cupsis forwarded laterally. andwhile rack orwicket I! of the drying released i'rom the forwardedsheet'by breaking "of vacuum in said cups through the described valvemeans for this purpose, whereupon the sheet forwarding by the rock shaft9| to move the: suction cups liilclear of the forwarded device 93 isrocked forwardly sheet. Vacuum is thenfbroken in the cylinder 9! throughthe described valve means for this purposeat which time the piston 98and .the suction cups 103 are returned by the expanding action of thespring Hi! to their original or extended positions to act on the nextsheet which in the meantime has reached the proper feeding position. Theabove so sure or airhetweenit andthe cylinder head 95 oftheport l'48relatively close operations of the sheet forwarding device .93 arerepeated in the order described so that the sheets are forwarded insuccession automaticallyand laterallyirom successive racks or wickets 45of the drying oven 6.

Each sheet forwarded-laterally and'in standing position from the racksorwickets I of the drythat said piston will first slow down, whereuponvacuum createdfinf said cylinder through said ,possible displacement ofthe sheet on; the suc- Uponcontinued-Y rotation o1 the cam-l51, thevalve,l54 will be raised by the high part of said cam to the positionthereof shown in Fig.6 thus establishing communication between thetubular fittingi dfi and the relief port I61 through the chamberliiandreduced portion Hil of said valve. Under these conditions vacuum willbe with-the cylinder'head 95.

cylinder head which to a I belt m able hearings in the side members Hand 15 with and drives a similar in'g oven 6 by the sheet forwardingdevice 93 is delivered thereby to, sheet advancing means which advanceeach sheet in-like manner toward another mechanism such as thepiledelivery 13.

A's herein shown, said sheet advancing means are preferably ated asfollows. pump shaft I 69 (Fig. 3) which extends transversely of the piledelivery I3 and is journalled at one en flin a suitable bearing in oneof the side members ll of said delivery.

Connected with the driven which is fixed on a shaft in and serves todrive the same. This shaft I13 extends transversely of the pile delivery13 and is journalled in suitthereof.

I The shaft I13 has'fixed thereon and driven thereby a bevel gear I",

gear that is fixed opened to atmosphere to recylinder 94 by'the'described valve means (Fig. a

standing on edge, a short dismounted, constructed and oper-.

l2l as by a coupling I68; is a shaft Fixed on and'rotated by the. shaft169' is a pulley I70 around which. passes a.

that also passes around a pulley I12 (Fig.4) which meshes on one end ofa jack shaft I18 and serves to drive the same. This jack shaft I18extends along one side of the pile delivery 13 between the latter. andthe drying oven 6 and is J'Qurnalled in suitable bearings in bracketsI11 and I18 that are bolted or-otherwise suitably secured to theadjacent side member 15 of said delivery.

' Fixed on'the opposite end of the jack shaft I18 and driven thereby isa bevel gear I19 which meshes with and drives a similar gear I88 that isfixed on and drives a stub shaft I8I journalled in a suitable bearing inthe bracket I18. The stub shaft I8I is connected, as by a universalcoupling I82, with the lower end of a vertical shaft I83 the upper endof which is connected as by auniversal coupling I84, with a stub shaftI85. This stub shaft I85 is journalled in suit- 7 able bearings formedin angularly disposed plates I88 and-I81 (Figs. 4 and 8) which extendover a frame I88 that is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to theside members 15 of the pile delivery 13.

The plates I88 and I81 are adjustably secured to plates I 89 and I98,res ectivelv, by bolts I9I which pass through slots I92 formed in theplates I81 and I89 and are threaded in suitable openings in the platesI88 and I98. The plates I89 1 ably secured to a bar I91 which isadjustably. mounted on said frame for purposes hereinafter described.

Fixed on and driven. by the stub shaft I85 is a pulley I98 provided withsuitable grooves for the reception of two belts I99 and 288 whichpassaround said pulley and also around pulleys 28! and 282,respectively, that are fixed on the vertical shafts I93, I94 and serveto drive the sa e. The belts I99 and 2 8 may be ti htened as desired. byloosening the bolts I9I and sliding the plates I88 and I81 relative tothe plates I89 and I98. The vertical driven shafts I93 and I94 are madeof non-magnetic material and have secured thereon a series of permanentmagnet feed rollers 283 and 284, respectively (Figs. '3. 4 and 9) Thesepermanent magnet feed rollers 283 and 284'are identical in constructionas the permanent magnet rollers disclosed in the United States PatentNo. 2.2281913 above referred to, and need no detail description herein.It might be mentioned, however, that the metal sheets forwarded intoengagement with the permanent magnet feed rollers 283 and 284 will beattracted and adhere to said rollers through the application of magneticforces applied to the non-printed or uncoated sides of the sheets atspaced points vertically across the same.-

Arranged between the permanent magnet feed rollers 283 and 284 areoverlapping plates 285 and 285 which bridge the space between saidrollers and serve to guide the sheets from the rollers 283 to therollers 284. 'The plate 285 is secured in any suitable manner tobrackets 281 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwise suitably secured 1to and adjustable with the bar I91, and the plate 288 is secured in anysuitable manner to brackets .288 which, in turn, are bolted or otherwisesuitably secured to the frame I88. Bolted or otherwise suitably securedto one of the side members 15 of the pile delivery 13 is a bracket 289.having secured theretoin any suitable manner a trough 2I8 which servesto support the sheets in standing position during movement impartedthereto by the permanent magnet feed rollers 283 and 284.

It will thus appear that each metal sheet forwarded laterally and instanding position from the-racks or wickets 45 by the sheet forwardingdevice 93 is delivered thereby in like manner over the verticallydisposed rotating permanent magnet feed rollers 283 which magneticallyattract the sheet to said rollers. Upon continued rotation of therollers 283, the sheet adhering thereto will be advanced therebylaterally and in standing position over the plates 285, 286 and alongthe trough 2I8 into engagement with the permanent magnet feed rollers284 which further advance the sheet laterally and in standing positiontoward the pile delivery 13.

To enable handling of the various widths of sheets that may be conveyedthrough the drying oven 8, and to insure proper delivery of the sheetsto the permanent magnet feed rollers 283 by the sheet forwarding device93, the rollers 283 may be adjusted toward and away from the racks orwickets 45 and the sheets supported standing on edge thereby. Thisadjustment of the permanent magnet rollers 283 may be made while saidrollers are in operation, thus avoiding stopping -of the drying ovenconveyor and movement of the sheets through the drying oven.Accordingly, the bar I91 has secured thereto spaced rack bars 2 7 (Figs.4 and 9) which are slidably mounted in the frame I88. Joumalled insuitable bearings in the frame I88 is a vertical shaft 2I2 having spurpinions 2I3 fixed thereon and rotated thereby, each of which pinionmeshes with the teeth of a rack bar 2. Rotation is imparted to the shaft2I2 and pinion 2I3 by a hand wheel 2I4 which is secured on the upper endof said shaft. It will thus appear that by rotating the hand wheel 2I4and shaft 2I2, the permanent magnet feed rollers 283 and the sheetguiding plate 285 may be moved toward or away from the racks or wickets45, as indicated in full and dotted lines in Fig. 9, through motionimparted to the bar I91 by engagement of the pinions 2I3 with the rackbars 2I I.

It will further-appear that when the permanent magnet feed rollers 283are adjusted as aforesaid, corresponding movement will be imparted tothe vertical driven shaft I83 and the drivingconnections between saidshaft and the shafts I93, I94 so that the permanent magnet feed rollers283 and 284 are continuously connected with and driven by the shaft I83regardless of the position of the rollers 283.

The sheets moved successively into engagement with the permanent magnetfeed rollers 284 are advanced by said rollers laterally and in standingposition along a sheet supporting and guiding device indicated broadlyat 2I5, and into engagement with a sheet deflecting member 2I8 which isdisposed at an angle in the path of movement of the sheets on saiddevice (Figs. 3 and 9). The sheet supporting andguiding device 2I5extends transversely of the pile delivery 13 above the pile guidingapron or plate 18 thereof (Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive), and is comprisedby a bar 2 I1 (Fig. 11) having three equally spaced, radially disposedtransversely extending blades 2I8 each provided on the outer extermitythereof with a shoulder 2I9. The shoulders 2I9 prevent forwarddisplacement of the sheets during movement of the same along the bar 2".

The blades 2| 3 form therebetween three trans versely extending sheetsupporting and guiding troughs 220 which are moved successively into 1sheet supporting and guiding position when the bar 2| I is rotated forpurposes hereinafter de-' scribed. Accordingly, the bar 2H is joumalledat one end thereof in asuitable bearing in the frame I38 (Fig. 9), andthe opposite end of said bar is connected with a coupling 22l providedwith three radially disposed groove's 222 into' which the blades 2extend (Figs. 10 and 11).

.The coupling'22l is, in turn, secured to a short Figs. 12 and 14 of thedrawings- 21.

The sheet deflecting member -2l6 bolted or 4' otherwise suitably securedaboveand inspaced relation with the sheetsupportingandguiding device 2|5to a sldesheet piling guidef225 (Figs. 3 and 9) -which,in turn, ishalted or otherwise printed or coated surface of the sheet uppermost.

When the sheet falls downwardly by gravity as aforesaid, air beneath thesheet is partly trapped by the guides 225, 223 and 229 causing saidsheet to fall slowlyto proper piling position in the pile delivery [3.At the same time, the sheet is held against rearward sliding movement bythe curved end guide 229.

As soon as the advanced sheet starts to fall rearwardly bygravity ashereinbefore describedand as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings, the bar j2" of thesheet supporting and'guidingdevice M5 is rapidly rotatedcounterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 11- to 14 inclusive, a third of arevolution orlone hundred and twenty degrees. This rotation of,the bar2l'|1-is necessary in order to insure complete delivery of the advancedsheet into the pile delivery 13 and thereby provide. a free path formovement of the next sheet alongv said bar. When the bar 2|1 is rotatedin the manner above stated, the lower edge of the rearwardly" fallingsheet will slide out of the trough 220 and into engagement with theadjacent blade 218 ,as indicated in full linesin Figs. 13 and 14 of thedrawings. Thereupon the sheet falls bodily V in an inclined positionalong the vertical blade suitably secured to a bar 223. Thejbar 226 is.

adjustably secured in a bracket 22'! to provide for adjustment of the"sheet piling guide 225 and the sheet deflecting member 216 toward andaway from the permanent magnet feed rollers 204 in accordanceWiththesize of sheet being handled. The bracket 22] ,is"dis posedbetween the side members 14 of the pileldellvery l3 and of thesheet andthe air partly trapped-beneath bolted or otherwise suitably secured tosaid p I v members.

Disposed in line with the permanent magnet feed rollers 21" andextendingrearwardlythere- 1 from is a side sheet piling guide 228 whichis bolted or otherwise suitably securdto' one of the side members 15 ofthe pile delivery 13. Disposed between the side sheet piling guides 225,223 and at the rear of the pile delivery 13 is an end sheet piling guide229 having a forwardly curvedupper portion 230 (Fig. 4). The endsheetpillng guide 229 is mounted for longitudinal and transverseadjustment to accommodate various sheet sizes, and for this purpose,said guide is bolted 'or otherwise suitably secured to a bar 23I thatis,

turn, issecured to and adjustable, along a rear cross bar 233.- The rearcross bar 233 is bolted adjustably secured in a bracket 232 fwhioh, in

or otherwise suitably secured to the side members,

14 and I5 of the pile delivery 13.

It will thus appear as each sheet is advanced laterally and in standingor on edge position along one of the troughs 220 of the sheet sup-aporting and guiding device 2i5 by the permanentmagnet'feed rollers 204,the upper end'o'f' the leading edge of the sheet Will'- engage "and movealong the angularly disposed sheet deflect- 2l8 and along the front'plleguiding apron or plate "I6 until the lower edge of the sheet engages ithe top of the pile as indicated in brokenfllin'es in Fig.14. Duringthis movement of the sheet the lower edge thereof is maintained inengagement'with the vertical blade 2|8 and the pile guiding apron orplate I6 due to the inclination the same. 'Uponengagement of the loweredge of the sheet with the pile as aforesaid, said sheet pivots aboutsaid edge and falls flat on top of the. pile without sliding on andscratching or marring the underlying sheet. It might be mentioned. atthis time. that when the bar 2|! is rotated to insure complete deliveryof the advanced sheet as described, the following trough 220 is"simultaneously and automatically moved into position to support andguide the next sheet.

As herein shown, rotation of the bar 2|! in the manner previouslydescribed, is preferably effected and controlled as follows.

and fixedon the driven shaft I13 for rotation thereby, is a spur pinion234 (Fig; 10) which meshes with and drives a spur gear 235. This sp'urgear 235 is fixed on and drives a short shaft 238 which extends throughand is journalled'in suitable hearings in the side members 14 of thepile delivery 13. The short shaft 236 has also fixed thereon and driventhereby a sprocket 231 around which passes a chain 238 that also passes.around and drives a sprocket 239 which is loosely mountedon theoutwardly projecting end of the. short. shaft 223. This sprocket 239 hassef curedlthereto or formed integrally therewith a ing member 2 it.Under these conditions, a transverse portion of the advancing sheet willbe defiected rearwardly under tension out of alinement with the feedrollers 204 so that when said sheet is completely advanced by saidrollers it will straighten out and thus cause the trailing end portionthereof to spring rearwardly out of engagement with the feed rollers20!. Thereupon, the entire sheet pivots on its lower edge and falls bygravity rearwardly and downwardly between the side guides 225, 228 andalong the curved end guide 229 to a horizontal or flatwise position inthe pile delivery 13 and with the" cup shaped clutch member 240 which isalso loosely mounted on the. outwardly projecting end of theshortshaft'223. The clutch member 240 has suitably connected therewith a pairof driving disks 24I which frictionally drive a series of I similardriving disks 242 through the medium of leather disks 243 that areinterposed between said disk s. The drivingdisks 242 are, suitablyconnected; with the short'shaft 223 to drive said shaft, ,and saiddisks, the leather disks 243 and the driving disks 2 are retained infrictional driving contact with each other by a spring 2 having-oneendengaging against a collar 245 Disposed between ,the slde'members 14of p le delivery 13 formed in the adjacent side members 15.

g member 14.

tween said shaft and said clutch member and between the latter and saidbar. Mechanism is,

'iherefore, provided to hold the bar 211 against rotation while a sheetis being advanced therealong, and to release said bar for rotation afterthe arm 264. Excess sliding movement of the toggle breaking pin 269toward the left (Fig-11) is prevented by a collar 213 which isadjustably secured on said pin and adapted to engage the block 218.

The toggle breaking pin 269 is disposed in alinement .with and adaptedto engage a toggle pivot pin 214 which pivotally connects pairs of upperand lower toggle links 215 and 216, respectively, that are normallydisposed in straightened position. The toggle links 216 are pivotallyconthe sheet has been completely advanced and be-- 1 gins to fallrearwardly as hereinbefore described.

This mechanism is preferably mounted, 'constructed and operated asfollows.

Fixed on and rotated by the cam shaft 8| is a cam 246 (Figs. 4 and 7)which engages a roller 241 that is joumalled on the lower end of a lever248. This lever 248 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on abracket 249 which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured to theadjacent side frame 52 of the drying oven 6. Pivotally connected withthe upper end of the lever 248 is one end of a connecting rod 258 whichextends transversely of the pile delivery 13 to the opposite sidethereof through suitable openiilgs e lever 248 is thus rocked by the cam246 during rotation thereof to reciprocate the connecting rod 258'.

The opposite end of the connecting rod 258 is pivotally connected withone arm 25| of a bell crank 252 (Figs. 1, 10 and 11) having another arm253 projecting into the space between the adjacent side members 14through a suitable opening formed in one of said side members. The bellcrank 252 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 254 which is bolted orotherwise suitably secured to one of the adjacent side members 14.

cated at 259. The bell crank 258 is disposed be-' tween the side members14 and pivotally mounted, as at 268, on one of said side members.

The arm 259 of bell crank 258 has pivotally connected therewith one endof a connecting rod 261 which extends rearwardly between the sidemembers 14 (Figs. 10 and 11). The opposite end of the connecting rod 26!is pivotally connected with an arm 262 that is fixed on a pin 263 whichis journalled in a suitable bearing in one of the side members 14 andthrough which said pin projects. Fixed on the'outwardly projecting endof the pin 263 is an arm 294 having a forked lower end in whichis'pivotally mounted, as at engages a collar 268 adjustablysecured on atoggle breaking pin 269 which is slidably mounted in spaced blocks 218and 211 that are bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the adjacentside A pull spring 212 having one end connected with the arm 264 and theopposite end connected with the block 218 holds the pawl 266 in thenormal position thereof shown in Fig. 11, and said spring also serves tomaintain the roller 241 in engagement with the cam 246 through thedescribed connections between the lever 248 and nected', as at 211, withthe adjacent side member 14, and the toggle links 215 are, in turn,pivotally connected, as at 218, with a detent 219 which is pivotallymounted intermediate its opposite ends, as at 280, on the adjacent sidemember 14. This detent 219 extends over a disk 28! and normally engagesone of three shoulders 282 that are formed in and equally spaced aroundthe periphery of said disk. The disk 281 is fixed on the short shaft 223and it will therefore be apparent that said shaft and the bar N1 of thesheet supporting and, guiding device 215 will be normally held againstro'tation through engagement of the detent 219 with one of the shoulders282 on said disk. This, however, will not affect the operation of theshaft I13 due to the slip clutch connection with the shortshaft .223.Seated in a suitable recess formed. in the upper side of the detent 219rearwardly of the pivot 288 thereof is the lower end of a spring pressedpin 283 the upper end of which is guided in an eye bolt 284 secured inany suitable manner to the adjacent side member 14. This spring pressedpin 283 tends to hold the toggle links.

215, 216 in normal straightened position, and also aids in lifting thedetent 219 out of engagement with the disk 28l upon breaking of saidtoggle links. The spring 285 for pin 283'is mounted thereon between theeye bolt 284 and a shoulder 286 formed on said pin.

Fixed on the short shaft 223 is a disk 281 disposed between the sprocket239 and the disk 28l. This disk 281 is provided with three identical camsurfaces 288 formed in and equally spaced around the periphery thereof.The cam surfaces 288 are adapted to successively engage a roller 289journalled on the upper end of an arm 29!] which is pivotally mounted,as at 29!, on the adjacent side member 14. Secured in the upper end ofthe arm 298 and disposed in alinement with the toggle pivot pin 214 is atoggle straightening member preferably in the form of a machine screw292 threaded in said arm and locked in adjusted position by a lock nut293. The roller 289 on arm 290 is maintained in engagement with the camsurfaces 288 by a pull spring 294 having one end connected with said armand the opposite end connected in any suitable manner with the adjacentside member 14.

Assuming now that a sheet has been completely advanced laterally and instanding position along one of the troughs 220 in the bar 2" by theengages the roller 241 and rocks the lever 248 clockwise as viewed inFig. 7.. The pawl 266 and the toggle breaking pin 269 are, through thedescribed connections therefor with the lever 248, thus moved toward theright (Fig. 11) until the pin 269 engages the toggle pin 214 and breaksthe toggle comprised by the links 215 and 216.

During this movement of pawl 266 and toggle breaking pm 289 thereby, Ithe beveled edge on said pawl engages and rides up onthe'block 2" sothat upon breaking of the toggle 218, 218 the pawl 288 is raised out ofengagement with the collar 288 on the pin 289 'and movement of thelatter by said pawl is thus discontinued;

Breaking of the toggles 215, 218 raises the detent 219, aidedby thespring pressed pin 2831.

' out of engagement with the shoulder 282 ondisk 28l, thereby releasingthe short shaft 223 for rotation by the driven shaft 113 through thedescribed-driving connections between said shafts including the frictionclutch 248. Thereup'on the bar 211 of the sheet supporting and guidingdevice 2l8 is rotated one third of a revolution from the positionthereof shown in Fig. 12 to the position thereof shown in Fig. 14, atwhich time said bar is again stopped through lowering of detent 219; anden agement of the same with the follow-' I to the disks 28l and 291 onsaid shaft, whereupon the high part of one of the cam surfaces 288 ondisk 281 engages the roller 289 on arm 298 and rocks said arm counterclockwise as viewed in Fig.1l. The toggle straightening member 292 thenstrikes thetoggle pin 214, thereby straightening the toggle 215, 218 andlowering the detent 219 into the pathof the following shoulder 282 onthe disk 28L This occurs before the bar 211 has rotated one third of arevolution so that when said bar has reached the position thereof shownin Fig. 14 the following shoulder 282 on disk 28l engages the detent 219thus stopping the bar and holding same against further movement. At thistime, the roller 289 on arm 298 engages the low part of the followingcam surface 288 on disk 281 induced by the spring 294 returning said armand the toggle straightening member 292' to their original positions.

'When the toggle 215, 218 is straightened as aforesaid, the togglebreaking pin 289 is moved over sheaves 298 (Fig. 3-) ioumalled in anysuitable-manner at the top. and forward end of the pile delivery 13. Thecables 298, 281 extend downwardly and are secured to and wound upondrums 299 which are located at opposite sidesand near the bottom of thepile delivery 13.

The drums 299 have secured thereto or formed integrally therewith wormgears 388 and these elevator 295 increases, the worm shaft '384'isoperated from time to time by suitable means (not shown) to drive wormgears 388 and drums 299 so that the cables 298, 291 are unwound fromsaid drums and lower the pile board or elevator I 295 and the pile ofsheets thereon.

While the present invention is herein illushated and described inassociation with a print- I ing or coating machine and drying oven unitfor metal sheets, it is equally adaptable for forwardingand advancingmetal sheets laterally and in standing position from any supply of such.sheets a standing on edge one behind another, and deliveri g saidsheets in horizontal or fiatwise position to sheet receiving means forfurther handling thereof. It also will be apparent that constructionaldetails of the present invention may be varied or modified withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention whereby other sheets, v

. as well as metal sheets, may be handled. For

example, suction feed rollers or ordinary. feed rollers and pressurerollers cooperating therewith may be employed instead of the permanentmagnet feed rollers 283, 284, or pressure rollers may be employed withsaid permanent magnet feed rollers.

engagement of roller 241 on arm 243 with the' tionherein, It mightbepointed out, however,

that the pile delivery 13 includes, in addition to the side members 14,15, the pile guiding apron or plate 18 and the .cross member 11,. a pileboard or elevator298 having connected therewith reancables 298 (Fig. 4)whichv pass over sheaves (not shown) at the rear and top of the piledelivery 13. The pile board or elevator 298 also has .connectedtherewithfront cables 291 that is, at thetrough bar 211.

the sheets are ready for another handling of any From the description ofthe machine given, it

will now appear that'means are provided, as in the suction means 93 andthe vertically mounted rollers 283 and 284, for removing the sheets fromthe wickets 45 and delivering the same to a position completely awayfrom the wickets, In this position,

suitable kind. Preferably, however, the trough bar andassociateddevice's turn or deliver the 7 sheets in a horizontal position andprovide the I appended claims.

means for this type of delivery of thesheets. Any suitable meansreceives the horizonally positioned sheets which, in the embodimentillustrated,- is the pile board or elevator 295.

It is therefore to be expressly understood that What we claim is:

1. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of-conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of means operable to remove the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position-from said conveying andthese cables, as well as the cables 298 pass means; means arranged forengagement by the loweredges of the successive sheets to preventdownward edgewise displacement of said sheets during lateral movementthereof; means arranged to act on each removed sheet to cause it to turnfrom standing position to horizontal position; and means to receive thehorizontally positioned sheets.

2. In apparatus for removing sheets printed or coated on one surfacefrom the type of conveying means which supports and conveys a supply ofsaid sheets standing on edge one behind another: the combination ofmeans operable to remove the sheets in succession laterally and instanding position from said conveying means; means. arranged forengagement by the lower edges of the. successive sheets to preventdownward edgewise displacement of said sheets during lateral movementthereof; means arranged to act on each removed sheet to cause it to turnfrom standing position to horizontal position with the printed or coatedsurface thereof lying upwardly; and means to receive the horizontallypositioned sheets.

3. In apparatus for removing sheets printed or coated on one surfacefrom the type of conveying means which supports and conveys a supply ofsaid sheets standing on edge one behind another and'with the printed orcoated surface facing in the conveying direction: the combination ofmeans operable to remove the sheets in succession laterally and instanding position from said conveying means including suction means toengage the printed or coated surface of each sheet; means arranged forengagement by the lower edges of the successive sheets to preventdownward edgewise displacement of said sheets during lateral movementthereof; means arranged to act on each removed sheet to cause it to turnfrom standing position to horizontal position with the printed or coatedsurface thereof lying upwardly; and means to receive the horizontallypositioned sheets.

4. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of means operable to remove the sheetsin succession laterally and in. standing position from said conveyingmeans; means for supporting the successive sheets in standing positionduring lateral movement thereof; means for operating said last namedmeans at predetermined intervals toremove the successive sheetstherefrom; and

means for receiving the removed sheets.

5. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveyingmeanswhich supports and conveys ,a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another; the combination of means operable to remove the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from said conveyingmeans including suction means to grip each sheet; means for supportingand guiding the successive sheets in standing position during lateralmovement thereof, said last named means comprising a transverselyextending member having .a trough'along which the successive sheets arelaterally advanced; means for actuating said member at predeterminedintervals to remove the successive sheets from the trough thereof; andmeans for receiving the removed sheets.

'6. In apparatus for removing sheets from the conveys a supply of sheetsstanding on edge one behind another: the combination of means operableto remove the sheets in succession laterally and in standing positionfrom said conveying means; rotatable means for supporting the successivesheets in standing position during lateral movement thereof; means forrotating said last named means at predetermined intervals a portion of arevolution to remove the successive sheets therefrom; and means forreceiving the removed sheets.

7. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge one behind another: the combination of means operable to remove the sheets insuccession laterally and in standing position from said conveying meansincluding suction means to grip each sheet; means for supporting andguiding the successive sheets in standing position during lateralmovement thereof, said last named means comprising a transverselyextending rotatable member having a plurality of troughs equally spacedaround the same and along the upper trough of which the successivesheets are laterally advanced; means for rotating said member atpredetermined intervals a portion of a revolution to remove each sheetfrom its respective trough and to dispose the following trough inposition to support and guide the next sheet; and means for receivingthe removed sheets. i

8. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of means operable to remove the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from said conveyingmeans including suction means to grip each sheet; means for supportingthe successive sheets in standing position during lateral movementthereof; means for causing each removed sheet to fall rearwardly anddownwardly to horizontal position; and means for receiving thehorizontally positioned sheets.

9. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of means operable to forward the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from said conveyingmeans; and means receiving the forwarded sheets and adapted to advancesaid sheets in like man- 'ner for further handling thereof.

and conveys a supply of said sheets standing on edge one behind another:the combination of suction means operable to forward the metal sheets insuccession laterally and in standing position' 'from said conveyingmeans; and driven rotatable magnetic means receiving the forwarded metalsheets and adapted to advance said sheets in like manner for furtherhandling thereof.

12. In apparatus for removing metal sheets from the type of conveyingmeans which supasserts ports and conveys a supply ofsaid sheets standingon edge onebehind another: the'combination of suction means operable toforward the metal sheets in succession laterally and in standpingposition from said conveying means; and

driven rotatable permanent 'magnet means receiving the forwarded metalsheets and adapted v to advance said sheets in like manner for furtherhandling thereof;

.13. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: thecombinatlon of means operable to forward the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from saideonveyingmeans; vertically disposed means receiving the forwarded sheets andadapted to advance said sheets further laterally and in standingposition;

and means for supporting and guiding the sheets in standing positionduring lateral movement imparted thereto by said last named means.

14. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of suction means operable to forward thesheets in succession laterally and in standing position from saidconveying-means; vertically disposed driven rotatable means receivingthe forwarded sheets and adapted to advance said sheets furtherlaterally and in standing position: and means for supporting and guidingthe sheets in standing position during lateral movement imparted theretoby said rotatable means. a

15. In apparatus for removing metal shee from the type of conveyingmeans which supports v and conveys a supply of said sheets standing onedge one behind another: the combination of suction means operable toforward the metal sheets in succession laterally, and in. standing 18.Inapparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying means whichsupports and w conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge one behindanother: the combination of suction means movablerearwardly andlaterally to engage and forward thesheets in succession laterally and instanding position from said con veying means; sheet advancing meansreceiving the sheets fromsaid suction means and adapted to advance thesheets further laterally and in standing position; means for moving: thesuction means rearwardly; other means for moving the suction meanslaterally; and means for sup- 4 porting and guiding the sheets instanding -posithe forwarded sheets; means for mechanically position fromsaid conveying means;vertically disposed driven rotatable magneticmeansreceiving the forwarded metal sheetsand adapted to standingposition; and means for supporting and guiding 'the metal sheets instanding position during lateral movement imparted thereto by saidrotatable magnetic means. p

16. In apparatus for removing metal sheets from the type of conveyingmeans which supports and conveys a supply of said sheets standing onedge one behind another: the combination of suction means operable toforward the metal sheets in succession laterally and in standingposition from said conveying means; vertiadvance sa'id sheets furtherlaterally and in cally disposed driven rotatable permanent magnet meansreceiving the forwarded'metal sheets and adapted to advance said sheetsfurther laterally and in standing position; and means for supporting andguiding the metal sheets in standing position during lateral movementimparted thereto by said rotatable permanent magnet means. p a

17. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: means mounted for movement rearwardly and laterally toengage and forward the sheets in succession laterally and in standingposition from the combination of suction said conveying means; sheetadvancing means adapted to receive and furtheradvance thetforwardedsheets; means for moving the suction 1 means rearwardly; and other meansfor moving the suction means laterally.

moving the suction means rearwardly as aforesaid; and means forpneumatically moving the suction means laterally as aforesaid.

, 20. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of vertically disposed sheet advancingmeans; suction means movable rearwardly and laterally in one direc-'tion to engage and forward each sheet laterally and in standing positionfrom said conveying means to said sheet advancing means, and movableforwardly and laterally in the opposite direction to clear theforwardedsheet and return to position to act on the next sheet; andmeans for imparting said four movements to the suction means in thesequence named.

21. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type, of conveying meanswhich Supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of vertically disposed sheet advancingmeans; suction means movable rearwardly and laterally in one directionto engage and forward each sheet laterally and in standing position fromsaid conveying means tosaid sheet advancing means, andmovable forwardlyand laterally in the opposite direction to clear the forwarded sheet andreturn to position to act on the nextsheet; means for mechanicallyactuating the suction means rearwardly and forwardly as aforesaid; meansfor pneumatically actuating the suction means laterally in said firstnamed direction; and means for mechanically actuating the. suction meanslaterally in said last named direction.

22. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of-vertically disposed sheet advancingmeans; sheet forwarding means operable. to forward the sheets insuccession laterally and in standing position from said conveying meansto said sheet advancing means, said sheet forwarding means comprising ahorizontally disposed and transversely extending cylinder, a piston insaid cylinder, and suction sheet nected vwith the 7 piston and disposedat right angles thereto;

means for actuating the cylinengaging means conto engage said derand thesuction sheet engaging means as a unit to engage said suction means withthe leading sheet of the supply; and means for actuating the piston andthe suction sheet engaging means relative to the cylinder to forward thesheet engaged b said suction means.

23. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of vertically disposed sheet advancingmeans; sheet forwarding means operable to forward the sheets insuccesion laterally and in standing position from said conveying meansto said sheet advancing means, said sheet forwarding mean comprising ahorizontally disposed and transversely extending cylinder, a. pistoninsaid cylinder,'and suction sheet engaging means connected with thepiston and disposed at right angles thereto; means for mechanicallyactuating the cylinder and the suction sheet engaging means as a unitsuction means with the leading sheet of the supply; means for creatingvacuum in the cylinder to actuate the piston and the suction sheetengaging means relative to the cylinder to forward the sheet engaged bysaid suction means; and automatically operated valve means forcontrolling the making and breaking of vacuum in the suction sheetengaging means and the cylinder at predetermined intervals and in propertimed relation'with each other.

24. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of vertically disposed rotatable sheetadvancing means; sheet forwarding means operable to forward the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from said conveyingmeans to said sheet advancing means, said sheet forwarding meanscomprising a horizontally disposed and transversely extending cylinder,8. piston in said cylinder, and suction sheet engaging means connectedwith the piston and disposed at right angles thereto; means formechanically actuating and the suction sheet engaging means as a unit toengage said suction means with the leading the cylinder" zonallyrelative to the cylinder to forward in succession the sheets engaged bysaid suction means.

2'7. Mechanism for forwarding sheets $lldC8S-- sively from a supplythereof and comprising: a

horizontally disposed cylinder; a piston in said rection relative to thecylinder; and automatically sheet of the supply; and means for creatingvacuum in the cylinder whereby the piston and the suction sheet engagingmeans are actuated first rapidly and then slowly to forward the sheetengaged by said suction sheet engaging means.

25. Mechanism for forwarding sheets successively from a supply thereofand comprising: a horizontally disposed cylinder; a piston in saidcylinder; suction sheet engaging means connected with said piston andthereto; means for actuating the cylinder and the suction sheet en agingmeans as a unit to engage the latter with the sheets; and means foractuating the piston and the suction sheet engaging means horizontallyrelative to the cylinder to forward in succession the sheets engaged bysaid suction means.

26. Mechanism for forwarding sheets successively from a supply thereofand comprising: a horizontally disposed cylinder; a-piston in saidcylinder; suction sheet engaging means connected with said piston anddisposed at right angles thereto; means for mechanically actuating thecylinder and the suction sheet engaging means as a unit to engage thelatter with the sheets; and means for pneumatically actuating the pistonand the suction sh t engaging means horidisposed at right anglesoperatedvalve means for making and breaking vacuum in the suction sheet eng inmeans and the cylinder in proper timed relation with each other.

28. Mechanism for forwarding sheets successively from a sur ply thereofand comprising: a pivotally mounted horizontally disposed cylinder; apiston in said cylinder; suction sheet engaging means connected withsaid piston and disposed at right angles thereto; means for oscillatingthe cylinder and the suction sheet engaging means as a unit to engagethe latter with the sheets, a pump connected with the suction sheetengaging means and the cylinder to create vacuum therein and actuate thepiston and said suction means horizontally relative to'said cylinder toforward the sheets; and automatically operated valve means forconnecting said pump with and disconnecting the same from said suctionsheet engaging means and said cylinder at predetermined intervals and inproper timed relation with and cross head guiding the piston and suctionsheet engaging means for right line reciprocation thereof relative tosaid cylinder.

30. Mechanism for forwarding, sheets successively from a supply thereofand comprising; a horizontally disposed cylinder; a piston in saidcylinder; suction sheet engaging means connected with the piston anddisposed at right angles thereto; and means for'creating vacuum in thecylinder whereby the piston and the suction sheet engaging means arefirst rapidly and then slowly actuated relative to said cylinder toforward in succession the sheets engaged by said suction means. I

31. Mechanism for forwarding sheets successively from a supply thereofand comprising: a horizontally disposed cylinder having a port thereinat one side and spaced from one end thereof, and a second port at saidend, said second named port being smaller in diameter than said firstnamed port; a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder and adaptedduring movement sheet engaging means connected with the piston anddisposed at right angles thereto: means for .laterally and in standingposition;

aasama creating vacuum in said cylinder through said first and secondnamed ports whereby the piston and the suction sheet engaging means are.

first rapidly actuated relative to said cylinder 'until said pistoncloses said first named port and then slowly actuated for the remainderof their movements to forward in succession the sheets engaged by saidsuction means from the supply without pounding or knocking of the pistonin the cylinder.

32. Asuction sheet handling device comprising: a main conduit connectedwith a source engaging cups secured to the open free ends of said branchconduits; and an element secured in each branch conduit and providedwith a restricted opening through which vacuum is created in eachsuction cup and whereby vacuum is maintained in the main and branchconduits. 33. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type ofconveying means which supports and conveys a supply of sheets standingon edge one behind another: the combination'of means operable to forwardthe sheets in succession laterally and in standing position from saidconveying means; vertically disposed driven rotatable means receivingtheforwarded sheets and adapted to advance said sheets further laterallyand in standing position; means for supporting the sheets in standingposition during. lateral movement imparted thereto-by said rotatablemeans; and means for operating said last named means atpredeterminedintervals to remove the advanced sheets therefrom.

34. In apparatus for removing metal sheets from the type of conveyingmeans which supports and conveys a supply of said sheets standing onedge one behind another: the combination of suction means operable toforward the metal sheets in succession laterally and in standable toforward the sheets in'succession laterally v behind another: thecombination of means operand in standing position from said conveyingmeans; vertically disposed driven rotatable means receiving theforwarded sheets and adapted to advance said sheets further laterallyand in standing position; means for supporting and.

guiding the sheets in standing position during lateral movement impartedthereto by said rotatable means; means disposed angularly across thepath of movement of each sheet advanced by said rotatable meansformoving the upper transverse portion of the sheet out of alinementvwith said rotatable means and causing the sheet to fall downwardly tohorizontal or flatwise position; and means for receiving in successionthe sheetsin horizontal or flatwise position.

37. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of suction means operable to forward thesheets in succession laterally and in standing position from saidconveying means; vertically disposed driven feed rollers receiving theforwarded sheets and adapted to advance said sheets further laterallyand in standing position; a device for supporting and guiding the sheetsin standing position during lateral movement imparted thereto by saidfeed rollers; means for moving the upper transverse portion of eachsheet advanced by said feed roll-- ers rearwardly out of alinementtherewith and causing said sheet to fall. rearwardly and downwardly tohorizontal or flatwise position; and means for receiving in successionthe sheets in horizontal or flatwise position.

tion' of suction means operable to forward the ing position from saidconveying means; vertical- 1y disposed driven magnetic feed rollersreceiving the forwarded metal'sheets' and adapted to advance said sheetsfurther laterally and in standing position; rotatable means forsupporting the metal sheets in standing position during lateral movementimparted thereto by said magnetic feed rollers; and means for rotatingsaid rotatrotatable means receiving the forwarded sheets and adapted toadvance said sheets further means for supporting and guiding the sheetsin standing position during lateral movement imparted thereto bysaidrotatable means; means for moving the upper transverse portion of eachsheet advanced by said rotatable means out of alinement therewith andcausing said sheet to fall downwardlyto horizontal or flatwise position;and means for receiving in succession the sheets in horizontal orflatwise position;

36. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys asupply of sheets standing on edge one metalsheets in succession laterally and in standing position from saidconveying means; vertical- .ly disposed driven magnetic feed rollersreceiving the forwarded metal sheets and adapted to advance said sheetsfurther laterally and in standing position; a device for supporting andguiding the metal sheets in standing position during lateral movementimparted thereto by said magnetic feed rollers; a member disposed angu-'larly across the path of movement of each metal sheet'advanced by saidmagnetic feed rollers for deflecting the upper transverse portion of thesheet rearwardly out of alinement with said magnetic feed rollers andcausing the sheet to fall rearwardly and downwardly to horizontal orflatwise position; and means for receiving in succession the metalsheets in horizontal or flatwise position. v

39. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on-edge onebehind another: the combination of means operable to forward the sheetsin successionlaterally and in standing position from said conveyingmeans; vertically disposed driven rotatable means receiving theforwarded sheetsand adapted to advance saidsheets further l'aterally andin standing position; means" for supporting and guiding the pertransverse portion of the sheets advanced by the rotatable means out ofalinement therewith and causing said sheets to fall downwardly to'horizontal or flatwise position; means for actuating said member atpredetermined intervals to remove the advanced sheets from the troughthereof; and meansfor receiving in succession the sheets in horizontalorflatwise position. y

40. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of means operable to forward the sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from said conveyingmeans; vertically disposed driven rotatable means receiving theforwarded sheets and adapted to advance said sheets further laterallyand in standing position; means for supporting and guiding the sheets instanding position during lateral movement imparted thereto by saidrotatable means, said sheet supporting and guidingmeans comprising atransversely extending rotatable member having a plurality of troughsequally spaced around the same and along the upper trough of which thesheets are advanced in succession by said rotatable means; means formoving, the upper transverse portion of each sheet advanced by therotatable means out of alinement therewith and causing said sheet 'tofall downwardly to a horizontal or flatwise position; means for rotatingsaid member at predetermined intervals a portion of a revolution toremove the advanced sheet from its respective trough and to dispose thefollowing trough in position to support and guide the next sheet; andmeans for a receiving in succession the sheets in horizontal or flatwiseposition. i

41. In apparatus for removing metal sheets from the type of conveyingmeans which supports and conveys a supply of said sheets standing onedge one behind another: the combination of suction means operable toforward the metal sheets in succession laterally and in standingposition from said' conveying means; vertically disposed driven magneticfeedrollers receiving the forwarded metal sheets and adapted to advancesaid sheets further laterally and in standing position; a transverselyextending device prothe metal sheets in standing position during lateralmovement imparted thereto by said magnetic feed rollers; a' memberdisposed angularly across the path of movement of each metal sheetadvanced by said magnetic feed rollers for de-' flecting the uppertransverse portion of said sheet rearwardly out of alinement with saidmagnetic feed rollers and causing the sheet to fall rearwardly anddownwardly to horizontal or flatwise position; means for actuating saiddevice at predetermined intervals to remove the advanced sheets from thetrough thereof; and means for receiving in succession the metal sheetsin horizontal or flatwise position.

42. In apparatus for removing metal sheets: from the type of conveyingmeans which supports and conveys a supply of; said sheets standing onaround the same for successively supporting guiding successive metalsheets in standing position during lateral movement imparted thereto bysaid magnetic feed rollers; a member disposed angularly across the pathof movement of .each metal sheet advanced by said magnetic feed rollersfor deflecting the upper transverse portion of said sheet rearwardly outof alinement with said magnetic feed rollers and causing the sheet tofall rearwardly and downwardly to horizontal or flatwise position; meansfor rotating said device at predetermined intervals a third of a .facingin the conveying direction: the combination of means operable to forwardthe sheetsin succession laterally and in standing position from saidconveying means through engagement of said sheets on the printed orcoated surface thereof; vertically disposed driven rotatable meansreceiving the forwarded sheets and adapted to advance said sheetsfurther laterally and .in standing position through engagement of thesame on vided with a trough for supporting and guiding the opposite sidethereof; means for supporting and guiding the sheets in standingposition during lateral movement imparted thereto by said rotatablemeans; means for moving the upper transverse portion of each sheetadvanced by said rotatable means rear-wardly out of alinement therewithand causing said sheet to fall rearwardly and downwardly to horizontalor flatwise position with the printed or coated surface thereofuppermost; and means for receiving thesheets in succession in horizontalor flatwise position and with the printed or coated. surface thereofuppermost.

44. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich supports and conveys a supply of sheets standing on edge onebehind another: the combination of sheet ad-' vancing means comprisingvertically disposed" driven rotatable means arranged at one side of andin spaced relation with said conveying means; sheet forwarding meansoperable to forward the sheets in succession laterally and in standingposition from said conveying means and deliversaid sheets to saidrotatable means; and means providing for adjustment of the rotatablemeans toward and away from the conveying means to insure proper deliveryof the sheets thereto by said sheet forwarding means.

'45. In apparatus for removing metal sheets from, the type of conveyingmeans which sup-' I ports and conveys a supply of said sheets standedgeone behind another: the combination of suction means operable to forwardthe metal sheets in succession laterally and in standing position fromsaid conveying means; vertically disposed driven magnetic feed rollersreceiving the forwarded metal sheets and adapted to advance said sheetsfurther laterally and in standing position; a transversely extendingrotatable device provided with three troughs equally spaced sition fromsaid conveying means and bring said ing on edge one behind another: thecombina tion of sheet advancing means comprising a series of verticallydisposed driven magnetic feed rollers arranged at one side of and inspaced relation with said conveying means; suction sheet forwardingmeans operable to' forward the metal sheets in succession laterally andin standing posheets into the magnetic influence of said feed rollers;and means providing for adjustment of the magnetic fede rollers towardand away from the conveying means to insure proper delivery of thesheets thereto by said suction sheet forwarding means.

46. In apparatus for removing metal sheets from the type of conveyingmeans which supports and conveys a supply of said sheets standing onedge one behind another: the combination tion of sheet forwarding meansadjacent the front of the conveying means adapted to engage of sheetadvancing means comprising a series of vertically disposed magnetic feedrollers arranged at one sideof and in spaced relation with saidconveying means; means for continuously driving said series of magneticfeed rollers; suction sheet forwarding means operable to forward themetal sheets in succession laterally and in stand ing position from saidconveying means and bring said sheets into the magnetic influence ofsaid feed rollers; and means providing for adjustment of themagnetic'feed rollers toward and away from the conveying means duringrotation'of said rollers and without disconnection of the driving meanstherefor to insure proper delivery of the metal sheets to the feedrollers by a the suctionsheetforwarding means.

47. In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich receives sheets one after another at the rear thereof and supportsand conveys a supply of the sheets standing on edgeone behind another:the combinathe face of each leading sheet adjacent "a side edge thereofand forward said sheet laterally and in standing position from saidconveying means; and means for positioning each sheet on the conveyingmeans so that a side edge thereof will be in a definite position foraction of saidsheet forwarding means.

48, In apparatus for removing sheets from the type of conveying meanswhich receives sheets one after another at the rear thereof and supportsand conveys a supply of the sheets standing on edge one behind another:the combination of suction sheet forwarding means adjacent the front ofthe conveying means adapted to en- 'gage the face of each leading sheetadjacent a side edge thereof will be in proper position for l action ofsaid suction sheet forwarding means.

LEONARD BAKER.

LEO C. WILLIAMS. GEORGE A. -MARTIN.

